Jessica's Health Blog

Strategies to Beat the Cold and Flu Season

With winter and the cold weather comes the sniffling, the sneezing, the coughing, the aching; unfortunately we all know these symptoms all too well. In fact according to an article from the DailySpark titled Stay Healthy All Winter, “Americans come down with three colds a year [and] up to 20% are unlucky enough to get the flu.”

So what can we do to ensure we aren’t one of those unlucky ones getting the multiple colds or of the 20% getting the flu?! DailySpark shared their tips and strategies that should help do the trick that I wanted to share with my healthy living readers to ensure they stay healthy all winter long.

Use these strategies below to beat the cold and flu’s this season:

Sweat It Out

According to the DailySpark article mentioned above, “people who exercise for at least 20 minutes five days a week suffer from half as many colds as those who get moving just one or two days a week. Researchers believe that exercise helps raise the number of immune cells in the body.” Try this At Home Circuit Workout that should help you sweat out those toxins!

Hands Off

Try to avoid touching your face as “flu germs enter the body through the nose, mouth and eyes.” Be sure to wash your hands before eating and to always hand sanitize before and after blowing your nose, or before anytime you may need to touch your face.

Sweeten Down

The DailySpark states that “a diet low in refined sugar strengthens the immune system and can potentially protect the body against cold and flu. Although there’s no research that clearly proves sugar causes more illness, some doctors have observed that people who reduce sugar consumption have fewer infections and are generally healthier overall.”

Rest Up

We all know the importance of sleep when it comes to our health, but it’s especially important when it comes to our immune system as well. In fact “skimp on slumber and you’re three times more likely to catch a cold, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study.” Be sure to aim between 6-9 hours a night, depending on your needs.

Clean Sweep

You can never be too safe when it comes to germs around this time, especially when in public. If you’re traveling by plain, train or bus, DailySpark suggest wiping down your armrests and seat before settling in.

Wash Away

“The single most important preventive measure you can take is to wash your hands, and often” suggests DailySpark. The suggest using lukewarm water oppose to water that may be uncomfortable hot because that can dry your skin causing cracking which can leave you susceptible to infections, doing just the opposite of what you wanted.

Be sure to use these strategies this time of year to stay health and avoid those winter illnesses and check out these articles that may provide some extra help as well: